Introduction to Science, the Scientific Method, and Research Studies

WHAT IS SCIENCE

“Science is the pursuit

and application of

knowledge and

understanding of the

natural and social world

following a systematic

methodology based on

evidence

CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENCE

1) Based on empirical knowledge

2) Provides rational/natural explanations

3) Testable

4) Repeatable & reproducible (and reliable)

5) Involves observation and experimentation

6) Generality of principles

EMPIRICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Based on evidence

• data collection (qualitative or quantitative)

• derived from observation or experimentation

TESTABLE

A scientific potential explanation

(HYPOTHESIS) to a question/problem

must be testable* (through observation

and/or experimentation)

→ it must generate specific expectations

(PREDICTIONS)

*may require the development of new

tools or techniques

HYPOTHESIS (H) VS. PREDICTION (P) - EXAMPLE

A good test for checking whether a prediction follows logically

from a hypothesis = ‘if…then’:

If (hypothesis), then (prediction) = DEDUCTIVE SYLLOGISM

For example:

“If competition among trees lowers reproductive output, then

fruit size should be smaller when tree density increases.

REPEATABLE/REPRODUCIBLE

Scientific results are subject to

confirmation by the same

(repeated) or other (reproduced)

investigators

• Confirmation is IMPORTANT!

- findings MORE reliable

- keeps science on track

OBSERVATION & EXPERIMENTATION

Experiment = a controlled setting where

there is an intervention/manipulation of a

natural process to observe the effects of such

intervention/manipulation

- BEST to study cause-effect

GENERALITY OF PRINCIPLES

Generality – the establishment of universal

principles that express how the natural

world works under certain conditions

- Common patterns

→ laws and theories

WHAT IS RESEARCH?

The systematic, planned,

and multiple-step process

that uses discoveries to

advance knowledge

- If purpose is contribution

towards science →

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

RESEARCH PROCESS

inductive vs deductive

SCIENTIFIC METHOD - STEPS

1. Define/Identify a Problem/Question

2. Formulate a hypothesis (‘potential explanation’)

3. Formulate predictions based on hypothesis

4. Test hypothesis by testing predictions

e.g. make observations or perform experiments and collect

data

5. Analyze data/results

6. Do data support hypothesis?

7. Draw conclusions

8. Communicate results

WHY SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS IMPORTANT

• To provide solid knowledge by identifying and characterizing new phenomena, materials or organisms

• To solve a scientific problem for which solution is needed

• To develop scientific inventions (e.g. cloning, gene therapy)

• To provide basis for many government policies and industry productivity